Early ripening and undemanding – the reasons for choosing low-growing tomato varieties for open ground and for greenhouses

Many factors influence the production of a good tomato crop, and one of the most important is the varietal characteristics of the plant. They not only determine the taste characteristics, color, size, but also suitability for certain growing conditions.

For greenhouses, varieties with a long growing season are best suited, and in the open field it is necessary to quickly harvest using favorable weather conditions. In this case, low-growing tomato varieties show high efficiency, in which fruiting begins much earlier than in tall ones.

Tomatoes of this group are diverse:

  • in color – from pale yellow and pale pink to dark red;
  • in height – from 30 cm to 1,3 m;
  • in terms of maturation – from 70 to 120 days;
  • by fruit weight – from 30 to 800 g.Tomatoes Alaska

Characteristics of species of low-growing varieties of tomato

Low-growing tomatoes are determinant plants, mainly of early and mid-season fruit ripening.

The physiological features of plants of this group are that their growth is limited, and the plant can produce no more than 5-8 productive brushes. Further upward development stops. This phenomenon is often called topping. The varieties differ in the amount of green mass, the size of the vegetative organs and the type of bush.

Varieties of determinant tomatoes according to the type of bush can be divided into groups:

Simple Determinate Tomatoes

Begins the formation of ovaries after 5-7 leaves. The following flower brushes are laid every two leaves. Upward growth ends after the formation of five fruit clusters, but the energy of the plant can be easily channeled into the formation of lateral growths. On these growths, full-fledged brushes will be laid. As a result, a not tall, but neat wide bush will form.

Seedlings of the variety are ready for planting at the age of 50-55 days. It takes 90-100 days before fruiting begins. Among the simple determinant varieties can be called “Yamal”, “Dubok”, “Navigator”, “Cameo”, “Rozina”, “Arktika”, “Sultan” and hybrids “Manechka F1”, “Crane F1”, “Lyubava F1”, “Commissioner F1.Cameo tomatoes

Semi-determinant

The stems, although not topped, do not grow up very actively. The number of fruit brushes can reach eight. Compared with the determinant ones, they have longer growing seasons, therefore they give a good harvest in greenhouses and form into one or two stems (“Openwork”, “Amulet”, “Fugue”). Fruiting begins in 90-120 days.

Superdeterminant

Tomatoes do not tend to rise and side shoots do not grow. Almost simultaneously, the plant produces two or three fruit clusters and stops growing. For this reason, standard varieties do not stepchild. Plants have a stable, thick main stem that does not require a garter. These are ultra early and early varieties: “Search”, “Russian Garden”, “Gavrish” and others.

Seedlings are prepared for planting for 40-45 days, and the first fruits ripen in 70-90 days.



The fruits are not large, tasty, have good transportability. Due to the short growing season, they bear fruit well in different climatic zones.

Pros and cons of undersized varieties

Low-growing tomatoes are most often super early, early and medium ripening, so they manage to produce a crop not only in the southern regions, but also in regions with a short summer.

  • friendly return of the harvest;
  • suitable for growing in low structures (tunnels, greenhouses, greenhouses);
  • minimum labor costs for pinching and tying.

Of the shortcomings – a short period of receipt of the crop and a relatively low yield per bush. But, given the density of planting, a good harvest is obtained from a unit area.Two tomatoes Sultan

Sowing seeds and growing seedlings in open ground

Low-growing varieties of tomatoes are practically not grown in heated greenhouses, as they finish fruiting early and do not use the potential of greenhouse favorable conditions. However, they can be planted as compaction in low spots in the greenhouse, or planted in a few for an early harvest.

Choose seeds

When choosing seeds, preference should be given to zoned varieties adapted to the climatic conditions of a particular zone.



Advice! It is better to buy seeds in specialized stores that have quality certificates. Watch the expiration date.

Sowing the seeds correctly

In order to grow healthy, not overgrown seedlings by the time of planting in the ground, you need to subtract the desired seedling age from this date – 40-55 days (depending on the variety chosen). When growing with a pick, an additional 5-7 days will be required.

It is better to buy seeds that have undergone pre-sowing treatment. Seeds of own production need to be disinfected, kept in the cold, warmed up.

Very dry or near expiration dates – germinate first.

Soil and seed containers are disinfected. Optimally suitable for sowing are special seedling soils, ready for use and seasoned with a full range of nutrients. Sow in moist soil not deep (1 cm), with a distance of 1-2 cm between seeds.

Time to dive

In the phase of 1-2 true leaves, seedlings are planted in order to increase the feeding area and provoke the active development of lateral roots. To do this, pinch the core root a little. The minimum volume of soil for picking is at least 8 × 8 cm.

Temperature conditions

After sowing and before germination, the air temperature is maintained at 22-25°C. When shoots appear, the temperature is reduced to 14-15°C and watering is reduced. Before picking, the temperature is maintained within 16-18°C, and after picking – 18-22°C, the night temperature is reduced by another 3-4°C.

Time to plant in the greenhouse

Ready seedlings are planted in a greenhouse when the danger of spring frosts is gone, and the soil temperature will be at least 10 ° C, and air – 15 ° C.

Depending on the region, seedlings are planted in open ground from the end of May.
For quick adaptation of seedlings, hardening begins in two weeks, gradually lowering the temperature.

From the video you can find recommendations for undersized tomato varieties: how to sow seedlings, what to leave, why it is better to remove shoots.

How to properly plant seedlings

The planting pattern for low-growing tomatoes depends on the type of bush chosen for this variety. For plants that are planned to be formed into one stem, the distance in a row may be less than for bushes – 2-3 stems. Superdeterminant varieties also do not take up much space.

The following schemes are possible:

  • rows with a row spacing of 60 cm and a distance between plants – 25 or 35 cm;
  • rows with a row spacing of 70 cm and a distance between plants of 50 cm;
  • two lines on the ridge with a distance – in a row 25-30 cm, between lines – 40 cm, between ridges 50 cm;
  • two lines on the ridge with a distance – in a row 30 cm, between lines – 60 cm, between ridges 80 cm;
  • planting in nests of two plants – 50 × 50, 70 × 70.

In the ribbons, it is better to arrange the plants in a checkerboard pattern, plant two varieties with a slight formation of shoots.

On average, 2,8-5,0 plants are planted per square meter, depending on the type of bush.
Attention! Dense plantings impair nutrition and ventilation and lead to the development of diseases.

We form a bush correctly

  1. In one stem.

When forming into one stem in the lower part, all stepchildren are removed so that flower brushes (3-4) are tied up as much as possible, and then the formation of inflorescences is transferred to a lateral shoot. This will prolong fruiting after the main stem is completed.

  1. In two stems.

In this way, semi-determinant tomatoes are most often formed in greenhouses, for which a stepson is left on the main stem under the first inflorescence and further stepsons are removed. The result is a neat bush, on two stems of which inflorescences will form.Low-growing tomatoes

  1. Three stems.

In open ground, low-growing varieties are sometimes formed into three stems, while the bush turns out to be low and wide, the crop is tied on the lower brushes, and upward growth is limited.

  1. Without stepchildren.

Superdeterminant varieties are grown, which have a height of 30 to 60 cm. These can be standard plants that practically do not form side shoots.

How to properly tie bushes

  1. Low-growing standard tomatoes can not be tied up at all. A thick, stable trunk is able to withstand its harvest.
  2. Simple medium-sized, determinant varieties need a garter or support, you need to tie up both the central stem and those side branches on which it is supposed to get fruits.
  3. It is better to tie semi-determinant varieties not to a support, but to a trellis with soft threads or material that does not injure the stems, since a significant number of brushes will create a large load.

Variety of varieties

Low-growing tomatoes will satisfy the taste of any grower. And this is just a small list of varieties for example:

  • large-fruited: “Bull’s Heart”, “Rabchik”, “Pink Honey”, “Bobkat”, “Parodist”, “Danko” (fruit weight from 200 g to 1 kg);
  • early: “Anastasia” (80-90 days), “Golden Stream” (82-92 days), “Red Fang” (85-95 days), “Mystery” (80-90 days), “Alaska” (80- 100 days), “Lyana” (100 days), “Lady’s fingers” (95-100 days);
  • mid-season: Supermodel (100-110 days), Watercolor (100-105 days), Eldorado (120-125 days);
  • not requiring a garter and pinching: “Yamal”, “Betta”, “Boni M”, “Watercolor”.Tomatoes Rose honey

Vegetable growers of different climatic zones can choose for themselves interesting, tasty varieties of low-growing tomatoes, suitable for growing in open ground and greenhouses, which give an excellent harvest with proper care.

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Anna Evans

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